Why do so many pieces of classical music have only a technical name (Sonata #5, Concerto 2 in A minor, symphony #4, etc.) instead of a “name” like Fuhr Elise or Eine Kline Nachtmusik?

Question

I can only speak for myself, but this makes it really hard to keep track of the songs I like. I love listening to classical music but if you asked me my favorite artists I would have difficulty telling you specifics.

In: 8720

Answer 1

I’ll add to this – part of the switch from “absolute music” (sonata) to “program music” (weird titles) was that a rising middle class became the new market for music in the 19th century – like all entertainment, publishers wanted to see music to them as enticing titles, not just “sonata”. A lot
Of program music was the result of these publishers wanting to sell music to these amateur middle class musicians with upright pianos in their living room